Ukrainian authorities revealed that Ukrainian naval drones attacked two Russian oil tankers, part of Russia’s "shadow fleet," as they sailed through the Black Sea. The targeted vessels were the oil tankers "Kairos" and "Virat," both flying the Gambian flag and listed under sanctions.
The attacks occurred off the coast of Turkey, with the Kairos targeted in the southwestern Black Sea and the Virat hit again on Saturday in the central eastern area. Video footage verified by the BBC shows a surface drone crashing into a ship, causing a massive fireball and thick black smoke. BBC sources confirmed the use of the "Sea Baby" drone, a naval drone developed by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU).
Turkish authorities assisted the attacked vessels and released footage showing Turkish ships attempting to extinguish the fire aboard the Kairos.
This attack clearly represents an escalation in Ukraine’s operations, focusing on destroying Russia’s oil revenue, a critical factor sustaining its war efforts. It signals a warning that Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea face direct attack risks beyond Western sanctions.
Additionally, major oil transport companies from the Caspian region announced a temporary suspension of oil loading at Russia’s Novorossiysk port in the Black Sea after a nighttime attack by unmanned vessels caused significant damage to the port’s docking facilities.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday (29 Nov) that Ukraine’s delegation, led by senior security official Rustem Umerov, is traveling to the United States to advance peace agreement negotiations. Umerov took over as head of the delegation following the resignation of Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, after an anti-corruption agency raided his apartment on Friday.
The Ukrainian delegation is scheduled to meet U.S. officials in Florida on Sunday, while Steve Witkoff, special envoy of former U.S. President Donald Trump, is set to hold talks in Moscow next week.
. . .BBC